If you are just beginning to show signs of facial aging and desire improvement, but cannot justify the cost or time investment required for surgical intervention. The rapidly expanding repertoire of injectable treatments is perfect to suit your needs. Injectables can be utilized during an office visit, rather than requiring a trip to the operating room. With some treatments, no anesthetic is necessary, as the needles utilized are so small that discomfort is minimal. With others, topical anesthetic agents or nerve blocks may be utilized, depending on the patient’s preference and the sensitivity of the region being treated.

From the standpoint of using minimally invasive
techniques to treat facial wrinkles, there are two general classes of injectables

Neuromuscular Toxins (Botox® and Dysport®)

The first option, which is most appropriate for active lines or age associated wrinkles that are deeping, is to temporarily weaken or paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. Botulinum Toxin type A® and Dysport® are neurotoxins that block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The toxin works directly where it is placed, and thus can be artistically used to soften facial wrinkles. Botox Cosmetic® and Dysport® are widely recognized and was the first neurotoxin to be approved for cosmetic use in the United States. Other manufactures are producing variant toxins that will likely be approved for use in the near future, including Reloxin and PurTox. These toxins will take 2-3 days to start working and lasting for 3-4 months.* Risks include bruising at the injection site and the possibility of unintentionally affecting nearby muscle groups.* Specific risks should be discussed with your doctor when considering treatment.

*Disclaimer: Please take into consideration that results may vary between different patients of BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center.

BOTOX® blocks the nerve impulses to muscles, causing a form of paralysis called botulism. In extremely small doses, is injected directly into the specific muscles that cause frown lines. These isolated muscles are paralyzed by BOTOX®, and can no longer contract.

Dysport® (Reloxin) which has been used in Europe since 1991 is now available in the U.S. Until recently, BOTOX® was the only FDA approved Botulinum toxin A available as a wrinkle relaxer.

Soft Tissue Fillers

The second class of injectable treatments are the soft tissue fillers. This group is rapidly expanding, and many options are available. These injectables are more useful for treatment of firmly established wrinkles or larger lines of facial aging (such as the nasolabial folds). Fillers also restore volume to the face and can add structure and a youthful look as well. Depending on the type of filler and the depth at which it is injected, you can smooth out fine lines on the surface of the skin, fill out deep lines (eg: nasolabial folds), augment soft tissues (such as the lips), or even effectively augment facial bone structure e.g. chin, cheek/jawline. All of these injectable fillers are placed by an injection, so the group carries usual risks of bruising, lumpiness, redness, product specific adverse reactions, and in rare cases local infections.

Many options are available in the filler class, with clinical differences being predominantly governed by how long the effects last, as well as how the filler “feels”. Generally speaking, very soft fillers e.g. Restylane®, Juvaderm®, and Prevelle® (that are best for locations such as the lips) tend to have a shorter duration of effect, while fillers that last longer tend to have more structure and are better suited in regions where they will not be palpable (such as the deep nasolabial folds). No skin testing is needed for the new generation of injectable fillers.

A more recent class of fillers is based on hyaluronic acid (HA) e.g. Restylane®, Juvaderm®, Prevelle®, and Perlane®, which is a sugar found naturally in human skin. When first introduced, a major benefit of this filler class is that allergic reactions are extremely rare, and no pre-treatment skin testing is necessary. These compounds bind water similar to the way a sponge absorbs water. Because of this, they hydrate the skin in the treated region and act as a cushion. Several manufacturers are coming out with versions of HA fillers, and formulations vary with the size of molecules (governed by the amount of crosslinking) and other components of the injectate (such as local anesthetic to help decrease the discomfort associated with injections). The various formulations expand the repertoire of options available to your injector, as certain products are better suited for different anatomical regions. Formulations with smaller particle sizes tend to be softer and smoother, and work well in regions such as the lips. Larger particles have more structure, and are best suited for deep folds such as the nasolabial creases and facial recontouring e.g. Sculptra® and Perlane®. Hyaluronic acids are eventually absorbed by your body, and the length of time is dependent on a multitude of factors including the patient, the location of injection, and the particular product used. Results last from 6 to 8 months in high mobility areas (such as the lips), and up to 1 year in regions such as the nasolabial folds, with most patients experiencing the desired effects for 6 to 8 months.* Sculptra® will last 1.5 years but is required 2 to 3 sessions to obtain the desirable result.*

A newer class of fillers has been introduced that is based on microsphere technology. Microspheres are tiny round particles of solid material that are relatively uniform in size. These products are used for volume replacement and for deep facial wrinkles (such as the nasolabial folds.) e.g. Artefill They are not approved for use in the lips.

*Disclaimer: Please take into consideration that results may vary between different patients of BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center.

Additional Dermal Filler Information

JUVÉDERM® is an injectable gel helps target wrinkles and folds of various depths.

It is the perfect “quick-fix” and will make you look and feel refreshed with minimal down time.*

Restylane® is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips and shape facial contours. Restylane® is a clear transparent gel composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is found throughout your body. Restylane® is not of animal or human origin, which means that there is no risk of allergic reaction.

The most common areas for a Restylane® treatment are the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of your mouth), the lips (to provide fullness and shape), corners of the mouth (to restore their horizontal youthful position instead of a downturned angry position), and glabellar lines (between the eyebrows). With its unique ability to bind with water, Restylane® remains in your skin for many months.

Perlane® was approved by the FDA in May of 2007 for soft tissue augmentation of moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. Perlane® is in the same family as Restylane®, with a larger particle size. Because of its larger hyaluronic acid particle size, Perlane® is injected into deeper folds than Restylane®. It is most commonly used in the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and for augmentation of the cheeks.

Radiesse®, formerly known as Radience, is a synthetic injectable filler that non-surgically reduces most wrinkles, creases and scars by augmenting your body’s natural collagen supply. Composed of microspheres in a biocompatible gel, Radiesse® is made from the same minerals found in our bones, so it carries no risk of allergic reaction – just one of its advantages over alternative treatments.

Radiesse® can be used on many areas of the body, but the most effective areas treated are the nasolabial folds (laugh lines), peri-oral lines, depressed scars and oral commissures (downturned corners of the mouth).

Treatments typically take 30 minutes and require only local anesthetic.* Side effects such as swelling or bruising are minimal and should fade within a few days.* Results are visible immediately after the injection and can last upwards of one year, although the procedure can be repeated as often as you wish.*

*Disclaimer: Please take into consideration that results may vary between different patients of BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center.